Leo Barrett Named Dearborn's Veteran of the Year

The Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council (DAWVC) has selected the 2014 Dearborn Veteran of Year: U.S. Navy veteran Leo Barrett.

Barrett will be honored during the City’s Veterans Day ceremony, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Michael A. Guido Theater at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. The public is invited to attend.

Barrett thanks the DAWVC Veteran of the Year selection committee for the recognition.

“I’m very proud to be included in this great company of veterans,” he said.

The selection committee, comprising past DAWVC Veterans of the Year, looks for veterans whose actions improve the lives of others and who have the personal qualities of honor, leadership, compassion and commitment.

Tom Wilson, Commander of AmVets Post 4 and former DAWVC commander, nominated Barrett for veteran of the year.

“Leo is humble and always willing to help. The AmVets preamble states ‘to perpetuate the friendship and association of veterans...and a devotion to mutual assistance.’ Those that know Leo, clearly understand that he lives by these words.

Wilson continued, “I recently saw a shirt that stated, ‘my time in uniform is over, but my watch never ends.’ This exemplifies Leo, our veteran of the year.”

2004 Veteran of the Year Al Tortonesi was on the selection committee.

“Leo really deserves it. He’s a good man who’s done a lot for veterans and Dearborn,” said Tortonesi. “He’s a quiet man who does what he has to do and goes out of his way to get it done.”

Volunteering for Veterans

Barrett is the senior vice commander of the AmVets – General Henry Dearborn Post 4. He was also one of its founding members and served eight years as its commander and four years as adjutant.

In his 39 years of membership, Barrett has chaired many activities and helped revitalize the organization when it struggled financially.

“You can’t do it alone,” he says. “John Blonar, Jack Beaudion, Jack DeGuise, and Jim McMahon were instrumental in getting us back on our feet.”

In 2004 – 2005, Barrett was commander of the DAWVC and as part of the Memorial Day Parade commemorations, he implemented a candlelight vigil for prisoners of war. He was on the Memorial Day Parade Committee for five years, and in 2012 was honored as a special marshal in the parade.

Barrett participates in Flag Day ceremonies and collects flags that are no longer used. He attends schools to discuss the flag, veterans, Memorial Day and patriotism.

He also packs and delivers gifts to hospitalized veterans and thanks others who do the same.

In 2010 he helped Duvall Elementary School’s first- grade students pass out 160 fruit baskets and cards to veterans at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.

Other volunteerism

For five years, Barrett helped coach youth football for the Dearborn Thunderbirds and raised money to buy equipment.

Barrett is active in Father Patrick O’Kelley Knights of Columbus Council 3860, the Fraternal Order of Eagles – Fairlane 3861 and is a member of the Sacred Heart Parish.

Military Service

Barrett served in the Navy from 1954 – 1958. He was a cook aboard the USS Gearing (DD-710) Navy destroyer, in the 6th Atlantic Fleet.

Barrett says, “I was one of the lucky ones because it was peace time. We went through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. I saw 17 different countries.

“One of the most exciting times I had was when President Eisenhower was flying in for a big conference. During a storm ships from all over were on alert in the North Sea in case his plane went down.

“When you’re on a ship for four years, you become a family and, when you’re a cook, everybody wants to be your buddy,” he said.

The military was a calling for many in his family. He had six sisters and four brothers. Two joined the Army and two joined the Air Force.

Influences

Barrett is thankful for his father, who was a coal miner in Pennsylvania and who pushed his children to choose a different occupation. He set an example of a strong work ethic.

He also is grateful for the friendship of Jim Desmond, whom he met in the Navy and “had a lot to do with me wanting to get more education. He had a big impact.”

Barrett attended Lawrence Technological University and Wayne State. He retired in 2000, after 39 years as a pipefitter with Ford Motor Company.

Ceremony

Barrett will speak at the 11 a.m. Nov. 11 Veterans Day Ceremony.

“One of my best buddies said something I never forgot. ‘It’s good to be a veteran.’ I didn’t get it at first. I thought we aren’t extraordinary individuals. But, together, we are special as a group.

“Camaraderie comes from being with each other and helping when someone is in need. Very few people share that experience,” he said.

In addition to honoring his fellow veterans, Barrett will thank his family, especially Nina, his wife of 54 years. “All along she’s encouraged and participated with me helping other people. She’s one of the biggest parts of my life. I love that.”

Barrett is also supported by his children Michael, Jim, Gary, Judy, Edward, John and 11 grandchildren.

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Photo courtesy of the city of Dearborn